Hey there! Sorry for another hiatus in writing... time seems to fly here and I never realize how long I've gone without posting something! So I'll update on some things that we've been doing in Nicaragua over the past couple of weeks.
Since Nicaragua is really safe in relation to the rest of the Central American countries (except for Costa Rica), we're encouraged to travel on our own on the weekends. Which is great, because we've been to a different place every week and they've all been incredible. The first weekend we took a day trip to Laguno de Apoyo which was perfect for sun-bathing, swimming, and kayaking (except for I forgot my bathing suit and had to swim in shorts and in tshirt). The second weekend we made it to Granada, a colonial town that is about an hour and a half away that has become very touristy in the past couple of years and is great for going out. We took Saturday to go to a market and a short boat tour of the giant Lake Nicaragua (the island that we're going to this weekend, Ometepe, takes 3 hours by boat to get to from Granada!). That night we went out on the town, which I have to say was great for a change to go to some fun bars, and then the next day Rachel and I went to a spa and got cheap cheap massages. The place was absolutely beautiful, and the receptionist was from France so I got to use a little French as well! The weekend trips are nice because, as much as we love our families, it's nice to get out and eat nice food from restaurants and sleep in hostels and the works.
This past week we spent the better part of 4 days in our rural stay in Nicaragua, in a region called Miraflor, which translated means "see flowers." I would say it's probably one of the most beautiful places we've been in Central America; mountains beyond mountains of green and trees and coffee fields. But as I picked up my camera to snap my first photo, realized that it was dead. I was SO BUMMED. The food and the scenery was absolutely amazing, and it was so tranquil in the mountains, it felt as if we were taking a relaxing retreat.
However, our tranquilo week was met with a crazy weekend. We traveled to Leon on Saturday morning to stay in a very cool hostel by the name of Bigfoot, that offers trips to the nearby Cerro Negro volcano for nothing else but... volcano boarding, which when CNN ranked the top 100 things to do before you die, was seen as NUMBER TWO. We hiked up the volcano (which is a certain type that I've forgotten the name of but it's made from it's own ash) with a wooden sled, which only took about an hour at most. Once we got to the top we suited up in giant orange jumpsuits and protective goggles, looked down the slope, and freaked out because it was so steep you couldn't see the bottom. I sat down on my sled to go and chickened out because I was so scared! But no worries, I went after two more people, and it was definitely one of the CRAZIEST THINGS I'VE EVER DONE. You're down the slope in under a minute (if you try at all to go fast), and I made it down at 71 kph (or 45 mph)! We came out looking like coal miners because all the black ash comes flying in your face, and you can't scream unless you don't mind volcanic rocks in your mouth. Rachel, Anna, and Maggie beat me by going 78 kph and 77 kph, but one guy broke the top 5 record by going 84 kph! Unfortunately, a Norwegian girl, who ended up going 81 kph, fell and broke her collarbone. I guess doing the 2nd most thrilling thing in the world does come with a risk.
This weekend we're heading to Ometepe and I'm so excited to be doing some hiking! But in the meantime, this week we're heading to a Nicaraguan baseball game, and then on Thursday having our own little Thanksgiving. Hopefully I'll get the chance to be doing some cooking for everyone!
Only 18 days until I come home! I'm feeling very ready for some Louisville in my life.
Becca
pictures soon!
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